environmental news of nevada and the eastern sierra from the toiyabe chapter of the sierra club

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SPRINGOUTINGS Issue

TOIYABE APRIL - MAY - JUNE 2016

TRAILSEXPLORE, ENJOY, & PROTECT THE PLANET.

DesCom Spring Trips . . . . . . . . . . 3Nevada Wilderness Service Trip . . . 3Mono Lake Free Volunteer Training . . 3Range of Light Group . . . . . . . . . 4-5ROL Group Spring Outings . . . . . 4CA-NV RCC Report . . . . . . . . . . . 4Truckee River Agreement . . . . 6BLM “Organic Act” (FLPMA) 40th . . 6On the Waterfront: Water Questions . . 7Desalination Conference . . . . . 7Water in Nat’l Wildlife Refuges . . 7Our Mountain Lion Neighbors . . . 7Great Basin Group & Outings. . . . 8-9Kids Practice LNT & Snow Science . . 8Peak Section News & Deseret Peak . . 8, 9S. Nevada Group . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11S. Nevada Group Outings . . . . . . . . 10Las Vegas ICO Finds Lost Creek. . . . . . 10Toiyabe Chapter ExCom Meeting . . 12

in this issue

Please see FROM THE CHAIR, page 2.

From the Chair

Please see NEW CA NAT’L MONUMENTS, page 2.

by david von seggern(vonseg1@sbcglbobal.net)

Are you busy?

Three new CaliforniaDesert National Monuments!

Chapter website<http://toiyabe.sierraclub.org>

Need informationabout Toiyabe Chapter?

Try the . . .

Photographers in field of Desert Gold Sunflower (Geraea canescens) at sunset in Death Valley National Park. Photo: Dennis Ghiglieri.

Seems like we’re all over-busy these days, myself included. It’s

difficult to stay focused when we have access to innumerable streams of data, opinions, and analyses — and when we make multiple, some-times unfulfillable, commitments. I learned something important from a training course once: Stomp on elephants, not on mice. That is what your Executive Commit-tee (ExCom) is trying to do as we navi-gate the torrent of issues, diversions, and developments in our path. Yet it is dif-ficult to avoid trying to stomp on those mice scurrying beneath our feet. Clearly the elephants in our path remain as pub-lic lands and renewable energy. We are giving these items priority again as we forge through 2016 to the elections. Public Lands Task Force. Regarding public lands, we are pressing national Sierra Club leaders and staff to raise this issue at the national level. This is an issue that has been highlighted by the illegal occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in January and February. The issue was again recently

NevaDaNS, ReGISTeR TO vOTe

NOW!(by May 14, 2016)

by janeT carTer

AS All oF You undoubtably realize by now, this is an election year. The Toiyabe Chapter of the Sierra Club has already endorsed one Congres-sional Candidate, Dina Titus, who is running for re-election for NV Congressional District 1. The Chapter and local groups will no doubt endorse other candidates at all levels, and your votes are crucial to determine who will serve to protect the environment of our region and our planet! But you must be registered to Please see NEVADANS REGISTER TO VOTE , page 2.

National Sierra Club election coming this springballot deadline: april 27, 2016 sTeve Krieg, chief inspecTor of elecTion

The annual election for the Club’s Board of Directors is now underway. Those eligible to vote in the national Sierra Club election will

receive in the mail (or by Internet if you chose the electronic delivery option) your national Sierra Club ballot. This will include information on the candidates and where you can find additional information on the Club’s website. The Sierra Club is a democratically structured organization at all levels. The Club requires the regular flow of views on policy and priorities from its grassroots membership in order to function well. Yearly participation in elections at all Club levels is a major membership obligation. Your Board of Directors is required to stand for election by the membership. This Board sets Club policy and budgets at the national level and works closely with the Executive Director and staff to operate the Club. Vot-

ing for candidates who express your views on how the Club should grow and change is both a privilege and responsibility of membership. Members frequently state that they don’t know the candidates and find it difficult to vote without learning more. You can learn more by asking questions of your group and chapter leadership and other experi-enced members you know. Visit the Club’s

Please see NATIONAL SIERRA CLUB ELECTION , page 2.

opt out of the paper Toiyabe Trails and walk the Sierra Club talk by saving our nat-ural resources. Email us at “optout@toi-yabe.sierraclub.org” (put that address in the “To” line). Then put “optout” in the “Sub-ject” line — that’s all you have to do.

Make a tree happy! get your Trails

online

On February 12 , 2016, the obama administration announced it would permanently protect special areas of the California Desert as Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow, and Castle Moun-

tains National Monuments. The national monument designations preserve the stark beauty of the desert, well-loved recreation areas, Route 66, and other historic sites, as well as important cultural arti-facts. Together they conserve and connect habitat to help buffer the desert, its wildlife, and communities from a changing climate. Sierra Club Executive Director Mi-chael Brune and Joan Taylor, vice chair of the Sierra Club’s California/Nevada Desert Committee, issued the following statements. “The Sierra Club applauds President obama for reaffirming the incredible natural wonder of California’s des-erts by adding Mojave Trails, Sand to

Snow, and Castle Mountains to our treasured list of national monuments. My wife and I have taken our children on some of our most memorable camp-ing trips through this beautiful region; it’s heartening to know that it will now be permanently protected well into the future for families to enjoy as well,” said

APRIL - MAY - JUNE 2016 toiyabe trails2

Toiyabe Trails

Serving nevada

& California’S e. Sierra Toiyabe Trails is published four times each year by the Toiyabe Chapter of the Sierra Club, P.o. Box 8096, Reno, NV 89507, to help keep our members well-informed and better able to protect the environment—for our families, for our future.

Editor – lynne Foster (Bishop, CA; 760-873-3829; lfoster@schat.net.)

Deadlines – Contributions are due by the 1st of the month for publication in the following month’s issue: December 1 for January-Febru-ary-March; March 1 for April-May-June; June 1 for July-August-September; September 1 for october-November-December. Submissions – Call or e-mail editor before deadline for late submissions. Submit news, story ideas, photos, and letters-to-the-editor to the editor (contact info above). Please include your name, phone, e-mail address, and group with all contributions. Please send your contributions by e-mail. If you don’t have a computer, please ask a friend to help you. For photo return, please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. The Toiyabe Trails reserves the right to edit all contributions for reasons of space, clarity, slander, or libel. Subscriptions – Toiyabe Trails is free to all Toiyabe Chapter members. Subscription cost for non-members is $12 per year. To subscribe, send check for $12, payable to “Toiyabe Chapter,” to Toiyabe Trails Subscriptions, Sierra Club, Toiyabe Chapter, c/o Treasurer. Contact Treasurer, Glenn Miller (775-846-4516) for address.

Change of address – Postmaster & Members, please send address changes to Sierra Club, Change of Address, P. o. Box 52968, Boulder, Co 80322-2968 or <address.changes@sierraclub.org>.

Membership information – There is a mem-bership coupon in each issue of Toiyabe Trails. You can also call the Chapter Membership Chair (see Chapter Directory, this page) or the Sierra Club office in San Francisco (415-977-5663).

Other Sierra Club information. Call the Toiyabe Chapter Chair or Conservation Chair (see Chapter Directory, this page) or the Sierra Club Information Center in San Francisco (415-977-5653). Also, see group pages for website addresses of groups.

froM The ChAir . . .continued from page 1

highlighted by the alarming positions on public lands by some presidential can-didates. An added factor of urgency has arisen with the introduction in Congress of several bills that would greatly im-pact our public lands, some introduced and co-sponsored by our own Congres-sional representatives. We have reconstituted the Toiyabe Chapter’s Public lands Task Force under Anne Macquarie as chair to ad-dress this issue at the state and federal level and to enlist national Sierra Club support mechanisms. We will write let-ters, broadcast our opinions, participate in rallies, and basically keep up the drumbeat for public lands protection. We invite any member keenly interested in public lands to volunteer with the task force (annemacquarie@gmail.com). Energy Task Force. Regarding en-ergy, we have an active Energy Task Force which has been conducting weekly teleconferences for years now under the leadership of Joe Johnson and Jane Feldman. This task force tries to examine every wrinkle in the complex energy developments within Nevada. The transition to a new, clean, and re-newable energy economy is not an easy route. The latest Public utility Commis-sion rulings regarding net-metering in Nevada have left us and our partners both incredulous and dismayed. Basi-cally, net-metering allows homeown-ers to install solar panels to lower their electricity bills while fulfilling a personal commitment to counteract global warming. The Nevada PuC decision has stretched the owner’s payback period on the installation to unrewarding lengths. But this means we will increase our efforts to achieve a long-term, workable legislative and regulatory framework in Nevada to hasten the energy transition. Poll after poll shows Nevadans are strongly supportive of renewable en-ergy. our Nevada Attorney General, in bringing litigation against the Clean Power Plan, truly lives in the last cen-tury, clinging to the past of fossil-fuel dominance. We will build partnerships to grow grassroots support of the re-newable energy transition and invite all our members to be part of that. We invite any member keenly interested in renewable energy to volunteer with the task force (feldman.jane@gmail.com). Political Committee. lastly, we have an active Political Committee, now with Caron Tayloe as able chair (crntayloe@gmail.com). This committee will enable us to elect Nevada candidates for federal and state offices who will help us on the two big issues discussed just above.

vote if you wish to participate in the election process! Are you registered to vote? For-tunately, voter registration in Nevada is easier than ever! First of all, if you voted in the last general election, and you have not moved or changed your name or party affiliation, there is no need to re-register. How to register to vote. If you do need to register, you have many easy options to do so. Any resident of Nevada who is a u.S.Citizen, not restricted from voting due to certain previous felony convictions, and will be at least 18 years of age on Election Day may register. If you are a college student, you have a choice of registering at your home oR your college address. However, if you are voting for the first time you may be required to show proof of residence at the address you will using. This could be a driver’s license or state I.D., a rent receipt, bank statement, credit card statement, tax bill, or a utility bill. Registering to vote online. If you do need to register to vote, in many cases you may do so online! However, to do so in Nevada you must already have a valid Driver’s license or state DMV ID card. The website to register can be found at https://nvsos.gov/sosvoterser-vices/Registration/step1.aspx. Changing your address. Please keep in mind that if you are changing your address, you must still enter the zip code on your driver’s license or state ID card (even if that is still the old address). This won’t change the address of your driver’s license; it will only be used to validate your signature. (Author’s note: I changed my voter registration address online recently, and it took me several tries to figure this out. I assumed that they were asking for my NEW zip code, and I kept getting an error message). Registering online only takes a few minutes, and you will receive your new voter card in the mail in about 10 days. Registering to vote without ID. If you do not have a Nevada driver’s license or state ID card but still wish to register to vote, you have many options. You may

download a form from the Secretary of State’s website (nvsos.gov), fill it out, and mail it in. You may also register to vote at any Nevada DMV office, or at any county elections office. of course, most political or campaign offices will have voter registration forms on hand as well! Voting deadlines. There are a few important deadlines to remember if you want to vote in our upcoming elections: 1. May 14, 2016 – This is the last day to register to vote for the June primary or update your existing registration without doing so in person or online. From May 15th to the 24th you may still register for the primary elections in Nevada, but only in person at your county election offices or online. 2. May 24, 2016 – This is absolutely the last possible day to register to vote for the Nevada primaries. 3. Early Voting May 28 - June 10, 2016 – The state of Nevada allows early voting for all elections! This can be very convenient, as during this time period you may vote at any designated polling place in the county. Your sample ballot (as well as the local newspapers) will have a list of locations and hours they are open. These early voting sites are often in local grocery stores, libraries, and the like. Weekend and some early evening hours are available, but these will vary by location so check the sched-ule! There is usually no waiting in line at early voting locations! 4. June 7, 2016 – This is the last day for the elections department to RECEIVE written mail (aka ABSENTEE) BAlloT requests. These must be filled out, signed and returned by Election Day. 5. June 14, 2016 – Primary election day. The polls will be open from 7am to 7pm, and you must attend your as-signed polling place -- unless you have already cast an ABSENTEE BAlloT or participated in early voting. And don’t forget that the general elec-tion is on November 8, 2016, when we will be choosing a new President. Don’t forget to vote then, too!

NevAdANs, regisTer To voTe Now! . . .continued from page 1

election website: <http://www.sierraclub.org/board/election>. The above site provides links to additional information about candidates, and their views on a variety of issues facing the Club and the environment. You should use your own judgment by taking several minutes to read the ballot statement of each candidate. Then make

NATioNAl sierrA Club eleCTioN . . .continued from page 1

your choice and cast your vote. Even if you receive your election materials in the mail, please go to the user-friendly Internet voting site to save time and postage. If necessary, you will find the ballot is quite straightforward and easy to mark and mail. Ballots are due no later than election day on April 27, 2016.

Michael Brune. “After nearly a decade working to safeguard these special pieces of the California desert, today local commu-nities and desert-lovers from across the state are celebrating! The monuments feature some of the most spectacular scenery, best wildlife habitat, and most outstanding recreation opportunities in

the nation. They provide vital connec-tions between areas previously pro-tected as national parks, preserves, and wilderness areas. National monument status will benefit both the environment and the economy well into the future,” said Joan Taylor.-- from National Sierra Club press release

Three New CAliforNiA deserT NATioNAl MoNuMeNTs . . .continued from page 1

EDIToR’S NoTE. Please see Joan Taylor’s blog at <http://www.sierraclub.org/lay-of-the-land/2016/02/california-desert-national-monuments-decades-making#.Vr35WERlBuI.facebook> for the inspiring story of how these three new California desert monuments were created.

APRIL - MAY - JUNE 2016toiyabe trails 3

sAviNg NevAdA wildlife hAbiTAT . . .

BOOKSHeLFcontinued from page 12

Spring Desert Trips

sierra club california/nevada regional conservation committee

The CNRCC Desert Committee’s purpose is to work for protec- tion, preservation, and conservation of California/Nevada desert.

All Desert Committee activities, unless stated otherwise, are suitable for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. The average car or high clearance vehicle will be adequate for most trips. For a good guide to desert travel we recommend the Sierra Club book, Adventuring in the California Desert, by lynne Foster. For questions about, or to sign up for, a particular outing, please contact leader listed in write-up. For questions about Desert Com-mittee outings in general, or to receive outings list by e-mail, please contact Kate Allen (kjallen96@gmail.com, 661-944-4056).

March 25-27 (fri-sUn)CALIFORNIA DESERT WILDERNESS SERVICE. Join Mojave Group and CA/NV Wil-derness Committee for our annual desert wilderness service project with wilderness staff from Needles office of BlM. This year’s destination is still top-secret at press time, but Turtle Mountains, Dead Mountains, or Clip-per Mts are all potential choices for some fun and useful restoration work, wilderness enhancement, and spring desert enjoyment. Central commis-sary, contact Vicky Hoover (415-977-5527, vicky.hoover@sierraclub.org).

CNRCC Wilderness Committee

May 27-30 (fri-Mon)BLACK ROCK RENDEZVOUS.This annual event makes a great first trip to Black Rock; it typically in-cludes speakers, guided tours, visits to hot springs, rocket launches, rock hounding, Dutch oven cook-off, drawings, and more. Co-Sponsored by Friends of Black Rock, BlM and Friends of Nevada Wilderness. Bring your RVs and trailers. Primitive camp-ing, but with portable toilets. May be Kid’s Camp activities hosted by

S. Nevada Group/CNRCC Desert Committee

Friends of the Inyo Outings

april 2 (saT)Chocolate Mountain Hike. Join Friends of Inyo in climbing Chocolate Mountain in Piper Mountain Wilderness. Piper Mountains are located on western edge of Great Basin and are an excellent example of Great Basin desert landscape. This will be a nice change from the valley floor. Expect a strenuous walk with significant elevation gain and loss. Space is limited, so please RSVP. Info & RSVP: info@friendsoftheinyo.org or 760-87- 6500.

april 22-24 (fri-sUn)Owens Lake Bird Festival. Join Friends of Inyo at 2nd annual owens lake Bird Festival celebrating migrating shorebirds as they move between hemispheres at owens lake Impor-tant Bird Area, highlighting the significance of the owens lake story and the return of threatened habitat. Join expert local guides on Saturday and Sunday outings. Camping and lodging available in lone Pine area. Contact/Registration: info@friendsoftheinyo.org and 760-873-6500.

May 14 (saT)International Migratory Bird Day. Join Friends of Inyo in celebrating the 2016 Inter-national Migratory Bird day. Trip specifics, meeting location and time TBD. Bring bin-oculars, appropriate clothing, sturdy footwear, water, and lunch. Info: info@friendsoftheinyo.org, or 760-873-6500.

jUne 4 (saT)National Trails Day . Come out with Friends of Inyo and celebrate National Trails Day by volunteering your time. Assist Friends of Inyo stewardship crew with light trail maintenance and cleanup. location and time TBD. Please wear long pants and close-toed shoes. Info: info@friendsoftheinyo.org or 760-873-6500.

jUne 24 (fri)June Lake Trails Day. Join Friends of Inyo and June lake Trails Committee for the 7th Annual June lake Trails Day. We’ll work on various trails around June lake loop so there will be job for everyone. Free bagel breakfast and lunch provided, along with raffle. Make sure to have appropriate clothing and sturdy, closed-toe shoes. location and time TBD. Info: info@friendsoftheinyo.org or 760-873-6500.

Visitor Center around noon MDT to get our free permit and latest route information. Then set up car shuttle beginning at Hwy 12 bridge and end-ing at Harris Wash Trailhead. Bring a daypack for side trips and footwear appropriate for being in and out of river all day. option of ending trip June 24 or 25. David Hardy (702 875-4826; email preferred, hardyhikers@embarqmail.com).

Nevada outdoor School. Bring your HAM radio and join Ham activity. Dogs on leash; be prepared to pick up after them. For more info go to: www.blackrockrendzvous.com. Ques-tions/sign ups: David Book (775-843-6443).

Great Basin Group/CNRCC Desert Committee

jUne 19-25 (sUn-saT)ESCALANTE RIVER BACKPACK.Enjoy stunning landscape of southern utah on this backpack along 27 mi of Escalante River and 10 mi of deep and narrow Harris Wash Creek. Side trips along way will explore narrow canyons and creeks. Arrive in town of Escalante at Escalante Interagency

Founded in 1986, Friends of the Inyo is a Bishop, CA-based non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the preservation, exploration and stewardship of the region’s public lands, made possible through mem-ber support, grant funding and federal agency partnerships.

black lakecelebration day

Saturday, May 14Hosted by Eastern Sierra Land TrustMAY 14 IS INTERNATIoNAl Mi-gratory Bird Day. In its honor, East-ern Sierra land Trust (ESlT) will be out on the land with Eastern Sierra Audubon celebrating the donation of the new Black lake Preserve. This secluded, 482-acre desert wetland is located within the Adobe Valley’s Important Bird Area. Rimmed by moist alkali meadows, Black lake attracts wildlife from miles around; it serves as an important breeding outpost for dozens of migrating bird species, and provides a critical water source for a diverse array of flora and fauna. Join ESlT as they celebrate the conservation of this spectacular landscape with speakers, walking tours, birdwatching opportunities, and much more. For additional informa-tion, visit www.eslt.org or call (760) 873-4554.

Memorial daynevada Wilderness

service TripTHE CAlIFoRNIA/NEVADA Wil-derness Committee of the Sierra Club has scheduled its annual service trip with the wilderness staff of BlM’s Ely District office for Memorial Day weekend – May 27 to 30. Join us in the Weepah Spring Wilder-ness, at the northern edge of Nevada’s brand new Basin & Range National Monument, as we work once again with wilderness ranger John Miller. And we hope for a fun hike to Mt Irish--on the south side of the new Monument. Could a monument tour be included? Central commissary offered. Contact Vicky Hoover.at 415-977-5527 or vicky.hoover@sierraclub.org.

Desert sunflower (Geraea canescens) and sand verbena (Abronia villosa) display in Death Valley National Park. Photo: Dennis Ghiglieri.

APRIL - MAY - JUNE 2016 toiyabe trails

Range of Light Group

Group News

4

Range of Light Group

california/nevada regional conservation committee report

by lesley brUns rol gUesT colUMnisT

officersChair Dick Hihn* rhihn@skidmore.eduVice-Chair Malcolm Clark 760-924-5639Secretary lesley Bruns* lestravel@hotmail.comConservation Malcolm Clark 760-924-5639Treasurer Mary Ann Dunigan 760-924-5982At large Mike Shore* mary.shore@gte.net At large Fran Hunt* fran.hunt@sierraclub.orgAt large Joanne Hihn* photos73@gmail.comChapter Del. Jean Dillingham 760-648-7109Editor Shalle Genevieve 760-934-9668 Hway Cleanup Dick & Joanne Hihn photos73@gmail.com Mary & Mike Shore mary.shore@gte.netHospitality Wilma Wheeler 760-934-3764oRWC** Chair Mark Bagley 760-873-5326Membership Shalle Genevieve 760-934-9668 outings Dick Hihn rhihn@skidmore.edu Co-Chairs Joanne Hihn jhphotos73@gmail.comPrograms Mary Shore mary.shore@gte/netPublicity Rosemary Jarrett rosemaryjarrett@ gmail.comWebmaster Jo Bacon jbacon22@verizon.netWebmaster Emeritus owen Maloy 760-934-9511

* Voting ExCom member** Owens River Watershed Conservation Chair

ROL Group Website<http://nevada.sierraclub.

org/rolgroup/>&

Chapter website<http://toiyabe.sierraclub.org>

Range of LightOUTINGS

Please see ROL OUTINGS, page 5.

by joanne hihn & dicK hihn

SPRING 2016 OUTINGSALL OUTINGS INCLUDE CONSERVATION EDUCATION ACTIVITIES!

All phone numbers are 760 unless otherwise noted.CST2087766-40. Registration as seller of travel

does not constitute approval by State of California.CHECKING FOR UPDATES. In addition to contact information listed in the Trails, check for updates on . . .

• our WEB PAGE at <www.sierraclub.org/toiyabe/range-light>• on FACEBooK, search “Range of Light Group”• on MEETuP at <http://www.meetup.com/ROLG-SierraClub-Outings-Meetup/> • in loCAl MEDIA (newspapers, etc.), where we submit outings informa-tion (note that it does not always get included in their calendar of events and sometimes published information is not accurate).

Range of Light Group Monthly Meetings You’re Invited!

everyone welcome!

april 19 (Tuesday)6:45 pm, announcements

7 pm, programsnarl (sierra nevada aquatic

research ctr) page center1016 Mt. Morrison Rd, Mammoth Lakes

(turn W off Hway 395, S of the green church

please submit suggestionsfor program topics and/or speakers to our program

chair, Mary shore(marymikeshore@gmail.com).

We always need fresh ideas!

For all potlucks please bring a dish for 6-8 people and your own non-disposable table setting. For months with potluck and program, you are welcome to skip the potluck and come only for the program.

February 16 (Tuesday)6:45 pm, announcements

7 pm, programsnarl (see details and directions

above, under april 19)Paul Page, volunteer at Valentine Eastern Sierra Reserve, will give a program titled, “Drones.” Be prepared to hear all about the latest developments.

Dr. Frank Davis, Director, National Center for Ecological Analysis & Syntheses, uCSB, will bring us up to speed on “Climate Change Risks to California Forests.”

June 21 (Tuesday)6:15 pm, social & potluck

7 pm, programcrowley lake community ctr(next to crowley lake store)

WhaT yoU need To KnoWWe have added weekday outings, in addition to Saturday or Sunday offerings.WHAT TO BRING ON ALL OUTINGS. Water, lunch, snacks, layered clothing, appropriate hiking footwear (boots/skis/snowshoes, sunscreen, bug spray in warm weather, desired personal items such as cameras, binoculars, hiking poles.THURSDAY EVENING OUTINGS. Short Mammoth lakes area hikes, back before dark, emphasis on local history, natural history, conservation issues, dependent upon leader’s interests. All hikers welcome, including beginnersIMPORTANT NOTICE. outings destinations may change due to unforeseen weather conditions. Abominable weather will cancel an outing. If in doubt, please contact leader ahead of time.

oUTings

Fran Hunt, Sierra Club Eastern Sierra organizer, will give a program on “Our public lands: The long range plan & the direction of management for the Inyo National Forest.”

ROL Group exComby dicK hihn, rol chair

our ExCom will next meet on Wednesday, April 27, at 5:30 pm, at the home of Dick and Joanne Hihn. You are welcome to attend. Please contact me in advance for details (rhihn@skidmore.edu or 760-709-5050).

It was a spring-like Saturday morning in February as I walked the quiet streets of downtown l.A. near Staples Center. As CNRCC

delegate for Toiyabe Chapter, I found it ironic that Sierra Club’s of-fice is located in the Petroleum Building, built in 1925 by oil magnate Edward l. Doheny. The CNRCC website (http://www.sierraclub.org/california/conservation-committee-cnrcc) explains that CNRCC is comprised of up to 58 delegates from the 13 California Sierra Club Chapters, including Toiyabe (which contains Nevada and Eastern California). These delegates study issues, develop posi-tions and help establish Sierra Club California’s policies on statewide en-vironmental issues. There were nine of us in the l.A. con-ference room. using Google Hangout, we had audio/video links to delegates meeting throughout the state, includ-ing Sacramento, San Diego and San Francisco. other participants called in on the conference line. Legislative report. As we settled in for the morning session, we heard a staff re-port from Kathryn Phillips, Director of Sierra Club California. She informed us about SB 380, the moratorium on nat-ural gas storage, brought on by the crisis in Porter Ranch. other bills coming up in the state legislature concern a plastic bag ban and an increased cigarette tax. We discussed the drought and water issues and learned that two hearings are planned for the “Twin Tunnels” scheme that will divert water from the Sacramento Delta. Diane Allen, Chair of the California Legislative Committee (CLC), reminded

us that Sierra Club needs to speak with one voice on advocacy issues. Chapters should check with staff before signing on to letters from other organizations regarding legislation. ClC priorities include oil dependence reduction, state park funding, wildlife and forest protec-tion, and climate disruption. Recruiting volunteers. A new website, developed by David Haake of Angeles Chapter, will help Sierra Club groups recruit volunteers. He gave a PowerPoint presentation of Volunteer Connection (http://www clubvounteer.org) -- a resource available nationwide. Resolutions. After lunch we recon-vened to vote on resolutions. The first offered guidelines for open ocean Aquaculture Policy, another included recommendations for the Renewable Energy Certificate Policy, and a third addressed monitoring and eventual clo-sures of urban underground Geologic Natural Gas Storage Facilities. Each resolution passed easily. With the day’s agenda complete, we returned to the outdoors that we’re working to preserve.* Dick Hihn, Rol Chair, has had to take time off to recover from appendicitis surgery!

april 3 (sUnday)Volcanic Tablelands, Bishop. Moderate pace, distance determined by group, one big hill at start, then gentle terrain. Well-behaved dogs welcome. Meet at dirt lot, corner Pleasant Valley Dam Rd, Hway 395. Contact: lisa (720-238-2581, lgbuckley@gmail.com).

april 10 (sUnday)Ski Horseshoe Lake. up to Mammoth Pass (depending on snow conditions). About 8mi,

moderate, no dogs, Meet 8a,, Ml union Ban. Contact Brigitte (760-924-2140, jungber-man@mac.com).

april 17 (sUnday)Ski Mammoth Lakes Basin (depending on snow conditions). About 8mi, moderate, no dogs. Meet 9am Ml union Bank. Contact: Bri-gitte (760-924-2140, jungberman@mac.com).

CaNCeLLeD, S

ORRY!

APRIL - MAY - JUNE 2016toiyabe trails 5

Range of LightOUTINGS

continued from page 4

JUNE 1Deadline!

forJUL - AUG - SEP issue

Range of LightWINTeR PHOTO GaLLeRY

photos by joanne hihn

MouNTAiN lioNs . . .continued from page 7

april 21 (ThUrsday)Ski, Snowshoe, or Hike (depending on “shoulder season” conditions). Please check RolG website or RolG outings Meetup for up-to-date info. Meet 10a, Ml union Bank. Contact: Mike or Mary (805-217-5563, marymikeshore@gmail.com).

april 24 (sUnday)Ski, Snowshoe, or Hike (depending on “shoulder season” conditions). Please check RolG website, RolG Facebook page, or RolG outings Meetup for up-to-date info. Meet 8a, Ml union Bank. Contact: Melissa (760-937-0499, melissas1@verizon.net).

april 28 (ThUrsday)Ski, Snowshoe, or Hike (depending on “shoulder season” conditions). Please check RolG website, RolG Facebook page, or RolG outings Meetup for up-to-date info. Meet 10a, Ml union Bank. Contact: Mike or Mary (805-217-5563, marymikeshore@gmail.com).

May 1 (sUnday)Ski Rock Creek Basin (depending on snow conditions). About 10 mi, strenuous. Meet 8a, Ml union Bank. Contact: Brigitte (760-924-2140, jungberman@mac.com).

May 8 (sUnday)Ski Tioga Pass Area to Greentreble Lake (de-pending on snow conditions). About 10 mi, strenuous. Meet 8a, Ml union Bank or 8.30a, lee Vining Ranger Station. Contact: Brigitte (760-924-2140, jungberman@mac.com).

May 15 (sUnday)Bohler Canyon. Re-visit canyon after fire to monitor regrowth, to visit many arborglyphs among canyon aspens. About 4 mi RT, easy, with some x-c. Meet 8.30a, Ml union Bank or 9a, behind June lake Shell station. Contact: Jean (760-648-7109, dillinghamjean@gmail.com).

May 18 (Wednesday)Highway Clean-up. Join RolG on morning cleanup of our 2 mi section of 395. Meet 8a, Crestview Rest Area (5mi N of Ml. Vests, hard hats, trash bags, pickers, gloves, refresh-ments, all provided. Contact: Dick or Joanne (760-709-5050, rhihn@skidmore.edu).

May 22 (sUnday)Hilton Lakes Trail (Crowley) to Davis Lake. About 10-12 mi RT, strenuous. Well-behaved dogs welcome. Meet 9a, Eastside Bakery off of 395. Contact: lisa (720-238-2581, lgbuck-ley@gmail.com).

May 29 (sUnday)Hike O’Harrel Canyon. Near Glass Mtn,

possible trip to Glass Mtn summit depending on group interest. Panoramic views of can-yon, Sierra, along stream, meadow, in open terrain, x-c hiking required. Well-behaved dogs welcome. Meet 8a, Ml union Bank. Contact: Melissa (760-937-0499, melissas1@verizon.net).

jUne 5 (sUnday)Hike or Snowshoe Little Lakes Valley to Gem Lakes. About 7.7 mi RT, 700 ft gain, views of Mts. Morgan, Bear Creek Spire, Dade, Abbot. Pass several back country lakes. Well-behaved dogs welcome. Meet 7.30a, Ml union Bank. Contact: Dick, Joanne (760-709-5050, rhihn@skidmore.edu).

jUne 12 (sUnday)Hike Horsetail Falls & BeyondAbout 5 mi RT, 1400 ft gain on switchbacks past Horsetail Falls or more if group desires. lovely views of Twin lakes, Sawtooths, abundant wild flowers. Meet 8a, Ml union Bank or 930a, Annett’s Mono Village (up-per Twin lake outside Bridgeport). Dogs limited. Contact: Maurica (760-932-7175, Maurica_And@yahoo.com).

jUne 17-19 (friday-sUnday)Mono Lake Bird Chautauqua.

jUne 23 (ThUrsday)FIRST EARLY EVENING OUTING OF SEASON! Hike to Snow Ponds near Re-verse Peak. Explore several new additions to uSFS trail system to ponds, which may have water in them this year. About 2.5mi RT, short, steep uphill/downhill, easy walk across plateau, many Sierra vistas. Meet 4.30p, Ml union Bank. Contact: Jean ((760-648-7109, dillinghamjean@gmail.com).

jUne 26 (sUnday)Hike Silver Lake to Parker Bench. About 4mi RT, 2000 ft gain, beautiful views of Silver lake, Mono lake, many aspen arbor-glyphs. Meet 8a, Ml union Bank or 845a, Rush Creek Trailhead across from Silver lake Campground. Dogs limited. Contact: Maurica (760-932-7175, Maurica_And@yahoo.com).

jUne 30 (ThUrsday)McLeod Lake Hike. About 1.1 mi RT, 300 ft gain, easy, walk through barren, white forest of trees killed by Co2, enjoy views of Mammoth Mt., Mammoth Crest, eat a snack along sandy lake shore, well-behaved dogs welcome. Meet 4:30pm Ml union Bank. Contact: Dick, Joanne (760-709-5050, rhihn@skidmore.edu).

Lisa Buckley led a ski/snowshoe outing in the Owens River Gorge on Feb. 4, 2016. “It was a beautiful day. We skied behind Sunnyslopes and enjoyed views down into the Gorge, snow-covered Bishop tuff ,and 360-degree Sierra mountain views.” Two dogs, Penny and Banner, added to the fun.

Ghia frolics with Penny and Banner. Sadly, this was Banner’s last ROLG outing.

contributed by sportsmen, Wildlife Services, and road kills. uNR graduate Dr. Alyson Andreasen, led the research project.

Not unexpectedly, where mule deer are readily available -- as in the Sier-ra Nevada -- the deer are a primary food source. However, mountain lions may lose cached kills to black bear. In the Virginia Range, where horses dominate the landscape, mountain lions have learned to prey on horses. For years, the common assumption was that surplus mountain lions from California (where mountain lion hunt-ing is prohibited), migrated to Nevada -- where hunting is permitted and, pre-sumably, vacant habitat was available. Collar data, however is documenting that some Nevada lions, particularly young males, will disperse to Califor-nia, where hunting opportunities (for the lion) seem more opportune. Not surpris-ingly, one young male lion was killed and consumed by another lion when he entered territory already occupied by the resident lion.

Nevada listed mountain lions as a game animal in 1965. This designation enabled the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDoW) to limit the number of mountain lions killed and to require post mortem information. A hunter who has killed a mountain lion is required to bring the pelt to NDoW for tagging and data collection. Nevada has an estimated 1100 - 1300 adult lions. This is about half the lion population at the time when mule deer populations peaked in the mid-l980s, and possibly 100% more than when Europeans arrived in the Great Basin and mule deer were rare. What of the future? The Sierra Ne-vada, high value habitat for mountain lions, black bear, and mule deer, is be-coming an island surrounded by hous-

Collared young mountain lions at a water development in the Virginia Range, Nevada. Photo: NDOW.

ing developments and faster highways. With thousands more people moving to western Nevada, prey species and migratory corridors may also be af-fected here. NDoW will next look at bear and lion interactions at kill sites and how this affects mule deer. The project is being funded by NDoW and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Please see ORGANIC ACT, page 7.

conservation roundup april - may - june 20166 Toiyabe Trails

Please see WATER QUESTIONS , page 7.

This land is your land . . . by marge sill

The first words of Woody Guthrie’s song echo what many of us believe -- that our public lands belong to all American citizens

and are a priceless heritage for those who come after us. We in Toiyabe Chapter are fortunate to have so much public land that is open to everyone. Some of this land is in special categories -- national parks, national monuments, national wildlife refuges, designated wilderness, and more -- but most of it is just for people who want to visit and enjoy our beautiful far-flung lands in whatever way they choose. You can ride a horse or an ATV; you can walk or see the land from your car; you can bring your family for a picnic or join your friends on an outing. You can hunt, fish, or just take pictures. You can camp or seek lodging in a rural town. “No trespassing” signs are conspicuous by their absence.* Public lands are an important part of our freedom as Americans. If they are sold and become private, we lose much of this freedom to live our lives in the way that we choose. We lose our precious and unique heritage that helps to make our country so great. Let’s keep singing “this land is your land” and make sure that it remains that way.

On the waterfront:Water questions for the future

by Rose sTRickland

Since the last Trails was published, the gamut of water-oriented happenings in Nevada and neighboring states is an indication of the importance of water in our futures. Water is in the news, from . . .

• FBI raids of the offices of the Bureau of Reclamation in S. Nevada, to . . .• a special session of the Nevada Legislature to implement a “deal” with Faraday Future (which could override NV Water Law requirements), to . . . • reports by experts on Snake Valley groundwater pumping impacts, to . . . • water scholars detailing declining Colorado River flows, and more.

Questions to ask about our region’s waterHow are our water managers doing? What more can be done to secure future water supplies? Which water projects should be axed? What can you do? Follow the links to learn more about the complex and confusing water ques-tions and how citizens can get involved. One opportunity is an April conference in Las Vegas on desalination as an alternative water supply to the water grab. (See announcement in box at end of article.)What are other states’problems? One can read nearly daily newspaper articles on California’s drought, efforts to stretch its limited water supplies, and prayers for a wet winter salvation by a strong El Nino. And in Utah, the news is of feverish attempts by promoters of a pipeline from the declining Lake Powell reservoir to provide water for growth in two counties to get state funding for the ex-pensive, risky, and controversial project.a bad political dealwith Faraday Future? In December, Nevadans were surprised when Governor Brian Sandoval called a special Legislative Session to develop four bills to authorize a deal with Fara-day Future, a car maker, to move to the old Apex site, east of Las Vegas. Several provisions of this deal threatened NV water law by authorizing substitution of politics for science as the basis for water appropriation decisions. These provisions would affect not just the five water basins near the proposed site at Apex, but all of Nevada. The Sierra Club, the Great Basin Water Network (GBWN) and many allies were able to block most of these bad provisions from legislative approvals.How important are aquifer connections? In January, the U.S .Geological Sur-vey published a report evaluating the connection of aquifers in Snake Valley on the NV/UT border to springs and streams in Great Basin National Park to increase understanding of the impacts of proposed pumping by the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) on the Park. The conclusion reinforced the concerns that all additional groundwater pumping in Snake Valley would affect the Park because... “The aquifers are

separated by confining units in some areas and are in contact with each other in other areas, yet function as a single, composite aquifer system.” Read the report at <https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/pub-lication/pp1819>.More water news Spring Valley. Also, on January 28, a Nevada Supeme Court ruling denied a procedural issue raised by the Mormon Church to protect its ranch in Spring Val-ley from impacts of SNWA’s proposed groundwater pumping in Nevada’s Spring Valley. The ruling does not affect GBWN’s lawsuit victories by both State District and Supreme Court rulings. In the meantime, the State Engineer had done nothing (publicly) in response to the court ordered remand to fix errors in his previous rulings in Spring Valley and other targeted basins. Interim drought water agreement. Also in the news were two reports from the Colorado River Research Group, which (1) evaluated deficiencies of an interim water agreement made by seven Western states to address drought im-pacts and declining River flows and (2) proposed some solutions to address the historic overappropriation of Colorado River water of the 1930s. Read more about these important Western water issues at <http://www.coloradoriverresearch-group.org/uploads/4/2/3/6/42362959/crrg_interim_guidelines_white_ver-sion_updated2.pdf> and<http://www.coloradoriverresearch-group.org/uploads/4/2/3/6/42362959/crrg_environmental_management.pdf>. Raids on BLM offices. In February, Nevadans were shocked at newspaper reports of raids on offices of the Bureau of Reclamation in S. Nevada to obtain documents on awarding of a $1 million dollar contract to an accounting firm for an audit of the agency’s Hoover Dam program. Read more at <http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/of-ficial-targeted-fbi-probe-linked-firm-he-supervised>. No further articles have appeared on the results of the investiga-tion of the powerful federal agency which manages water and power in the West. Nevada Drought Forum. This group produced a final report on its findings and recommendations to Governor Sandoval on how to ad-

The blM “organic” act’s 40th anniversaryby dennis GHiGlieRi

In the summer of 1976, along with many of my fellow conserva-tionists from across the country, I was in Washington D.C. for an

environmental workshop on learning how to lobby for wilderness, parks, and wildlife. Jimmy Carter was running for President against President Gerald Ford. And a landmark piece of legislation was before the Congress that summer called the Federal Land Policy Manage-ment Act of 1976 (FLPMA).While there we met with Congres-sional Staff and Congress mem-bers to lobby for wilderness, parks, and wildlife – es-sentially all ways to protect parts of the public domain for future genera-tions. Excitement over FLPMA was high that summer because it would establish that the public lands were to be retained and managed under the new law. We had very high hopes for FLPMA because important environmental legislation had been enacted under President Nixon in 1970, creating the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and establishing the Clean Air Act and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). “Flipma”, as FLPMA is now referred to, created the authority that establishes how the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) carries out its management responsibilities throughout the United States on 240 million acres of public land (about 4.1% of the land area of the entire country today.) [See sidebar on “Organic Act”.] As today, some within the ranching and mining and commodity industries opposed FLPMA and lobbied (President Ford especially hard) to op-pose the legislation. However, Congress passed FLPMA on October 1, 1976 and

President Gerald Ford signed it on October 21, 1976. FLPMA gave the BLM authority to conduct wilderness studies and wilder-ness management and create Areas of Critical Envi-ronmental Con-cern (ACECs). FLPMA says “...the public lands be managed in a manner that will protect the qual-ity of scientific, scenic, historical,

ecological, environmental, air and at-mospheric, water resource, and archeo-logical values; that, where appropriate, will preserve and protect certain public lands in their natural condition; that will provide food and habitat for fish and wildlife and domestic animals; and that will provide for outdoor recreation and human occupancy and use . . .” While there are those in the ranching and mining industries who continue to advocate for disposal of public land, widespread public support remains for continued Federal management of the public domain’s wide open spaces. The public lands are every American’s national heritage and FLPMA is essen-tial to keeping the public lands public.Sidebar: What is meant by “Organic Act”? “FLPMA is called the BLM Or-ganic Act because it consolidated

Mt. Irish Petroglyph site on BLM managed public land in NV north of Alamo. Photo: Dennis Ghiglieri.

7Toiyabe Trails april - may - june 2016

organic act . . .continued from page 6

water questions . . .continued from page 6

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Keeping water in National Wildlife refuges: Problems & solutionsby TiNa NaPPe

dress ongoing drought. For details, see <http://drought.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/droughtnvgov/Content/Home/Feature/Executive%20Summary_ASTP.pdf>. Fortunately, the development-oriented panel did not recommend more interba-sin water transfers from rural areas to cities as a possible supply option. Nevada State water problems study meetings. In another State effort on re-viewing Nevada Water Law, the Nevada Legislative Commission’s Subcom-mittee to Study Water is planning six meetings around the state to hear about water problems and possible solutions. The subcommittee is authorized to submit up to five bill draft requests to the 2017 State Legislature. For details, see <http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/20557473-113/nevada-commit-tee-begins-treacherous-journey-to-look-at#> . One area of study was brought out when Jason King, Nevada State Engi-neer, testified that “…out of 256 basins in Nevada, there are 53 basins where water is severely over-appropriated.” The subcommittee members will be considering whether these failures and possible attempts to correct overappro-priated basins will require changes in the state water law or changes in the admin-istration of the current water law.looking to the (possibly desalinated) future The future promises more exciting developments in water issues as the 15-year drought continues and is being exacerbated by climate changes. You can get more water news in Nevada and the West on the GBWN website, at <http://greatbasinwaternetwork.org>, including more details on the April 23, 2016 conference in Las Vegas: Green Desalination for a Water-Secure Nevada (see press release below for interesting details of the conference).

desalination conferenceDallas, Texas – February 10, 2016 – The Integral Scientific Institute today announced a conference on desalination to be held April 23, 2016, on the campus of the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, Nevada:

Green desalination for a Water-secure nevada april 23, 2016 • 9 am to 4 pm • las Vegas, nevada,

sponsored by College of Southern Nevada Environmental Strategies Committee and Integral Scientific Institute

The conference will convene concerned citizens, scientists, public officials, engineers, and inventors to discuss key water issues facing Nevada today. Invited conference panelists include water resources experts from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the College of Southern Nevada, the Metropolitan Water District of Los Angeles, California, the Integral Scientific Institute of Dallas, Texas, and others. “We are very excited about the level of enthusiasm we have received from invited speakers and prospective attendees for conference” said Saïd Majdi, co-founder and president of the Integral Scientific Institute. “We look for-ward to bringing together the many Nevadans who are interested in water security for a substantive discussion of real-world solutions to crucial water issues facing Nevada today.” The Integral Scientific Institute is a think tank that is developing a unique, coherent paradigm of study and action focusing on interrelationships between water resources, food production, energy security, transportation efficiency, and climate policy. Achieving an integral understanding of the water-food-energy- transportation-climate nexus is crucial if we are to take responsible actions toward making our social and economic activities compatible with having a sustainable natural environment.

and articulated BLM’s management responsibilities. Many land and re-source management authorities were established, amended, or repealed by FLPMA, including provisions on Fed-eral land withdrawals, land acquisitions and exchanges, rights-of-way, advisory groups, range management, and the general organization and administration of BLM and the public lands. FLPMA also established BLM as a multiple-use agency...” For details of this important act,,see <http://www.blm.gov/flpma/or-ganic.htm>.

MOST OF OUR NATIONAL WILDLIFE Refuges, as you probably know, have been established to preserve wetland-dependent birds. The takeover of Mal-heur National Wildlife Refuge (January 2-February 11) by Ammon Bundy and friends brought attention to our national wildlife refuges, though not in the way we might have wished. Problems: Many Attempts to transfer federal public lands to states. While we could breathe a sigh of relief as the takeover of Mal-heur ended, the agitation continues with legislation at both the state and federal level to transfer new federal public lands to states. Location. The fact that many wetlands are located at the end of water systems is another serious problem negatively affecting our National Wildlife Ref-uges (NWR) and state-owned Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). Many of these wetlands are located at the end of water systems. In some cases, agencies purchased water rights along with land, in other cases they did not.

Drain water can run out. In other cases, such as in Lahontan Valley, Ne-vada, wetlands designated as a Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve his-torically relied on drain water. That is,

The American wigeon is just one of many species which enjoys the benefits of our NWRs (and suffers the harm when they are degraded). Photo: Fred Petersen.

went dry. An increasing dependence on wells lowers water tables and even sucks water out of rivers. Fully ap-propriated surface water goes first to municipal or industrial use, drying up wetlands and urban ponds. In Nevada, legislation is being developed to revise state water law to build efficiencies in water delivery to avoid wasting it on plants and birds. Fundraising. Ducks Unlimited and California and Nevada Waterfowl Asso-ciations raise money through banquets to build efficiencies in water delivery in NWRs and WMAs. Refuge Friends groups help raise money and volun-teer. See http://www.fws.gov/refuges/friends/ for details. Duck Stamps. Income received from charging duck hunters is a welcome source of revenue. But with the drought, duck hunting has dropped. Because Duck Stamps directly help wildlife refuges, Friends groups encourage purchasing them. See http://www.fws.gov/birds/get-involved/duck-stamp.php for details. Land Trusts. The Nature Conser-vancy and other land trusts also are leaders in saving water sources. Federal Government leadership and financing. All these sources help, but the federal government, with its leadership, laws, policies, and financial contributions is a primary underwriter and savior of wetlands. What you can do It is important to speak out for wet-lands. The Malheur Wildlife Refuge takeover resulted in a lot of media atten-tion for refuges (though not in the way we might wish). Now it is our job is to keep water flowing to them.

water rights holders upstream received their water first. By the time agencies realized people had to own water to re-ceive it, costs had risen, financing was an issue, and less water was available. For instance, millions of dollars were spent acquiring water in Lahontan Val-ley beginning in 1990, but despite this effort the wetlands were dry in 2015. solutions: Few Investing in upgrades. There are also urban wetlands in city, county, or state parks where wildlife may not be a priority -- but these pocket wetlands have long been a sanctuary for migrat-ing, resting, and even some nesting birds. Recently, in Reno, the Lahontan Audubon Society successfully encour-aged the City of Reno to invest several hundred thousand dollars to upgrade Virginia Lake, a popular urban bird “home” subject to both draining and pollution. Legislation. During the drought many critical wetlands both urban and rural

Our mountain lion neighborsby Tina naPPe

The daily life of Nevada’s elusive mountain lion is being revealed. From 2009-12, 48 mountain lions in the Virginia Range, Pine Nut

Mountains and the Sierra Nevada were radio collared. Their territories, migration routes, kill sites, and dens were subsequently tracked. To gather DNA data, blood samples were drawn and combined with tissue samples

Please see MOUNTAIN, LIONS, page 5.

april - may - june 2016 Toiyabe Trails8

All phone numbers are 775 unless otherwise noted.ALL events include conservation education activities.

Please see GB CALENDAR, page 9.

Great Basin Group

CalendarCST Nevada Tour Operator – Registration Information, Nevada Tour Operator

Ref. No. 2008-0041 2087766-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.

Great Basin Group

Please see GB PEAK SECTION NEWS, page 9.

Message from the Chair

*GB GROUP WeBsite: <http://toiyabe.sierraclub.org/gbgroup/ >FaceBOOk: <https://www.facebook.com/groups/scgbg/> (Sierra Club GBG)

MeetUP: <http://www.meetup.com/Sierra-Club-Hiking-Reno/events/calendar/>

Spring events!by katy christensen, group chair

Great Basin Groupofficers

Chair Katy Christensen* 702-755-2267 mabelnv@hotmail.comVice-Chair Holly Coughlin* 775-331-7488 ladyhiker1@att.netSecretary Sue Jacox* 775-849-1890 suejacox@nvbellnetTreasurer Roleigh Martin* 952-905-0822 roleigh@pobox.comConservation OpenEnergy Open Membership Jim Call 775-420-6363 freneticmarmot@gmail.comOutings Holly Coughlin* 775-331-7488 ladyhiker1@att.netPolitical David von Seggern* 775-303-8461 vonseg1@sbcglobal.netPrograms Charlotte Cox* 775-848-0741 charcox@charter.netPublicity David von Seggern* 775-303-8461 vonseg1@sbcglobal.netWebmaster Mitch Silveira-Brown 775-233-6971 potzagilla@gmail.com

eveninG hikes aRe staRtinG. As the air warms, and spring begins to bloom throughout the Great Basin, hikes offered by the GBG will include increased evening hikes – up to four weekly evening hikes throughout the spring and summer months. Check for details in the Calendar listings which begin on this page of the Trails, and check for frequent updates at www.meetup.com/Sierra-Club-Hiking-Reno. GeaR UP silent auction. Mark May 12 on your calendar! The Great Basin Group’s annual Gear Up silent auction event will be held on May 12 at the Bartley Ranch location beginning at 6:30 pm. This event is a fundraiser for the Get Kids Outdoors (GKO) group programs. All are invited to bring gently used items, such as hiking and camping equipment and clothes, outdoor sports equipment, and outdoor and travel re-lated books, CDs, and/or DVDs. Such equipment and items may be brought to the April evening program at Bartley Ranch, or beginning at 6 pm on the evening of the Gear Up event. See the GBG Calendar for further details, or email Katy Christensen (mabelnv@hotmail.com). 2016 GkO programs. Supported by the Great Basin Group, these included an opportunity for 50 5th graders from Rob-ert Mitchell Elementary School to attend

a 4-day Great Basin Outdoor School program during spring break in March. In May, Rita Cannon Elementary School K-6 students and families will participate in a field trip to explore Galena Creek area forests and ecosystems. eaRth Day booth. Also, please plan to visit the GBG’s booth at the annual Earth Day event in Reno, on Sunday, April 24, at Idlewild Park. Interested in volunteering for an hour or two? Call Katy (702-755-2267). Monthly programs. We look forward to seeing members and meeting all other nature-loving folks at our monthly pro-grams at Bartley Ranch Regional Park Western Heritage Interpretive Center on the second Thursday of each month (usually) throughout the spring. See Thursday, April 14 for a program on Patagonia and Friday, May 13, for the “Mountain lion celebration.” See our Calendar listings for details.

nOte: Meetup address referred to in some outings below is <http://www.meetup.com/Sierra-Club-Hiking-Reno/events/calendar/>.

april 5 (tuesday) 5:30ptuesday evening hike. Tuesday eve-ning hikes are planned to accommodate most hikers, regardless of condition. Moderate pace, 2-4 mi, under 600 ft gain. Conservation issues, as appropri-ate, will be highlighted along our walks. Trip location announced on MeetUp (http://www.meetup.com/Sierra-Club-Hiking-Reno/events/calendar/) by Sunday evening before Tuesday hike. DOK. Leader: David von Seggern (775-303-8461; vonseg1@sbcglobal.net). Mod. Easy.

april 6 (Wednesday) 5:30pWednesday conditioning hike. Join us to get in shape for weekend hikes. About 4-6 mi in 2-2.5 hours in differ-ent locations around Truckee Meadows. Pace moderate to mod. fast. Learn about local flora, fauna. Bring plenty of water, clothing for weather; trail shoes highly recommended. Dogs welcome, but must be well-mannered and have leash, just in case. Some outings will be in rattlesnake territory. All conditioning hikes are posted on our local Meet-Up site (see address at beginning of Calendar on page 8). DOK. Leader: Holly Coughlin (ladyhiker1@att.net). Co-Leader: Jim Call (freneticmar-

mot@gmail.com). Moderate. april 7 (thursday) 5:30p

Moderate evening conditioning hike. Get in shape after work with evening conditioning hike of 4-6 mi at brisk pace. Gain up to 1000 ft. Discover trails, learn about nature, geology in and around Truckee Meadows. More info at: Meet Up site (see beginning of Calendar for address). DL. Leader: Ridge Walker Co-Leader: Rhonda Jarrett Mod. Easy.

april 7 (thursday) 8asawmill in Desert Day hike. Near Buckland Station/Silver Springs, along Carson River. 9 mi loop; mostly flat. Re-mains of sawmill operation, current route of railroad, with 100-year-old bridge, on rail line to Hawthorn. Hike part of route of Carson & Colorado Railroad, circa early 1880, with original wooden culvert. A few enigmas. ND. Leader: T A Taro (775-530-2935). Mod. Easy.

april 10 (sunday) 9aspanish springs Peak (7406 ft). Mod-erate Day Hike/Peak Bag. Expect lots of glorious wildflowers; if we’re lucky we’ll see few antelope, golden eagles. Five mi, 1500 ft to summit; half x-c across volcanic terrain. Learn local ge-

Great Basin Peak Section Newsupdate on peak numbers!

by sharon Marie Wilcox

MORE SNOW in the mountains this year will make it challenging to find dry roads and peaks until later in the season. We’ll check in again at the end of the year to see how many new peaks our members have experienced. Plus maybe we will get to celebrate another list finisher? In any case, have a great hiking season! Peak numbers update. Last year the following members shared their current progress on the Great Basin Peaks list. Here is an update of their new peak numbers.

Laura Newman 28 Daniel Baxter 29James Barlow 29Bob Michael 35Bob Morrill 35 Kathy Rich 35

James Morehouse 38Tobi Tyler 46

Howard Steidtmann 49Al Sandorff 50Dave Porter 54

Randy McNatt 63Mary Brooks 66Larry Grant 73Ken Jones 79

Daryn Dodge 80Charlie

Winger 82Sharon Marie Wilcox 89

Larry Dwyer 102

Robert Stolting 9Franklin Enos 11Niki Houghton 21

Mitch & Janice Brown-Silveira 31

Gerry Pennington 23Marge Sill 24Jim Scott 25

Gretchen Nelson 25Ute Dietrich 27

kids practice lnt & learn snow scienceby sue Jacox, sueJacox@nvbell.net

Fun hand signals made it easy for students in Great Basin Outdoor School’s winter programs to remember all seven “Leave No

Trace” principles.

While on snowshoe outings in the Spooner summit area, eager young protectors of the planet collected piles of trash and bro-ken sleds left behind by others. Students also learned about winter safety, snow science, astronomy, and winter adaptations. Classes who participated in overnight 2-day programs at Lake Tahoe were surprised during their snowshoe trek by pioneer snow scientist, Dr. James Church, as portrayed by retired Forest Ser-

vice professional Steve Hale. Hale dem-onstrated the use of the Mt. Rose snow sampler designed by Dr. Church to calculate our snow’s water content and explained that the snow is “white gold” providing our vital water supply. Throughout January and February, 420 local children participated in Great Basin Outdoor School’s various day and overnight winter programs. Most had never snowshoed before and were excited to master a new outdoor recre-

Girls show LNT antler sign for “Respect wildlife.”

Students practicing LNT gathered trash in Spooner summit area.

Please see KIDS PRACTICE LNT, page 9.

april - may - june 2016Toiyabe Trails

hike. Get in shape after work with evening conditioning hike of 4-6 mi at brisk pace. Gain up to 1000 ft. Discover trails, learn about nature, geology in and around Truckee Meadows. More info at: Meet Up site (see address at beginning of Calendar) . DL. Leader: Ridge Walker Co-Leader: Jeannie Ket-tler. Mod. Easy.

april 16 (saturday) 9aMayberry Park to hunter creek Falls Day hike. A strenuous 9-mi hike, start-ing with short climb to Steamboat Ditch Trail, then relatively flat for about 1.5 mi before starting climb to Hunter Creek Falls. spectacular waterfall at 4.5 mi mark makes for perfect lunch spot, with great photo opportunity. The return to Mayberry Park will be all downhill, relatively easy. Bring lunch, sunscreen, plenty of water. Bad weather cancels. Well-mannered dogs okay; have leash in case it is needed. DL. Leader: Rhonda Jarrett (775-662-8698). Co-Leader: Rob Jarrett (jarrettrl02@gmail.com). Mod. Strenuous.

april 17 (sunday) 9astevens’ trail Day hike. Great spring hike down to American River near Col-fax. About 6 mi, but steep downhill of around 1800 ft descent, then climb out on nice, windy trail. Beautiful scenery with scrub oak, mossy rocks, very green. It may be quite warm in April, so clothing should be layered. Have lunch at river. There is poison oak off sides of trail in places, so dogs should be on leash. Trip limit 15. DOK. Leader: Holly Cough-lin (ladyhiker1@att.net). Co-Leader: Jim Call (420-6363; freneticmarmot@

Deseret Peak, Utahby sharon Marie Wilcox

9

continued from page 8

Great Basin GroupCalendar

kiDs PrActice Lnt . . .continued from page 8

John Ide 114 We now have a page on Facebook. Please add pictures or reports from your trips to share with other hikers. (You know how much you like to hear the tales fro other hikers!) Join the GBPS! For details on mem-bership, recognition categories, peak list, and trip reports check out Great Basin Peaks Section at: <http://www.sierraclub.org/toiyabe/great-basin-peak-outings>.

GB PeAk section news . . .continued from page 8

ology, wildlife. Moderate hike, not for beginners. ND. Leader: Ridge Walker (853-8055). Co-Leader: Jeannie Kettler (843-9828). Moderate.

april 10 (sunday) 12 noon Would you Be Lost Without a Leader? Beginning Map & compass class. If you’d be lost without leader, this class is for you! Meet Sunday at noon, conduct “classroom” part of class in parking lot at S Reno trailhead near McCarran and Longley. Then do short hike to “put it into practice,” finish up at 2 or 3 pm. We’ll talk about different types of compasses, how to find your location on map, and easy navigation tricks, then talk briefly about GPS (however, this is not a GPS class). Leader is SAR guy, has used map and compass for years. Feel free to bring compass, but trip leader will supply maps and compasses. Dogs on leash OK; be prepared to pick up after them. Bad weather cancels. Signup after 4/1! DOK. Leader: David Book (775-843-6443). Easy.

april 12 (tuesday) 5:30ptuesday evening hike. See trip de-scription for April 5. DOK. Leader: David von Seggern (775-303-8461; vonseg1@sbcglobal.net). Mod. Easy.

april 13 (Wednesday) 5:30pWednesday conditioning hike. Join us to get in shape for weekend hikes. Please refer to write-up on 4-6-16 for info. DOK. Leader: Holly Coughlin (ladyhiker1@att.net). Co-Leader: Jim Call (freneticmar-mot@gmail.com). Moderate.

april 14 (thursday)Monthly Meeting. Program: “Pata-gonia — Photography & Tall Tales.” Place: Bartley Ranch Center. Time: 7 pm. Presenter: Chip Carroon, land-

scape photographer and geologist, will present a slide show highlighting the hik-ing possibilities at two of the most no-table national parks in Patagonia. The

emphasis will be on route descriptions and photographic explorations of sug-gested destinations. Carroon will also tell some stories associated with previ-ous climbing and hiking experiences in these Patagonian locations.

april 14 (thursday) 5:30pModerate evening conditioning

gmail.com). Mod. Strenuous. april 19 (tuesday) 5:30p

tuesday evening hike. See trip de-scription for April 5. DOK. Leader: David von Seggern (775-303-8461; vonseg1@sbcglobal.net). Mod. Easy.

april 20 (Wednesday) 5:30pWednesday conditioning hike. Join us to get in shape for weekend outings. Please refer to April 6 for details. DOK. Leader: Holly Coughlin (ladyhiker1@att.net). Co-Leader: Jim Call (frenetic-marmot@gmail.com). Mod. Strenuous.

april 21 (thursday) 8aBuckland station downstream. Buck-land Station near Silver Springs. A 10 mi loop, 0 gain, from Historic Buckland Station downstream along Carson River, enjoying riparian habitat. Return on seg-ment of Pony Express Trail. Learn some history. State park walk in fee: $1/person. Option to tour remains of Fort Churchill on your own after hike. ND. Leader: T A Taro (775-530-2935). Moderate.

april 21 (thursday) 7:07pModerate Moonlight conditioning hike. Get in shape after work with moonlight conditioning hike of 4-6 mi at brisk pace. we will start around sunset, hike for couple of hours by light of nearly full moon, in hills N of Reno. Gain up to 1000 ft. Discover trails, learn about nature, geology, in and around Truckee Meadows. More info at Meet Up site (see address at beginning of Calendar). ND. Leader: Ridge Walker Co-Leader: Rhonda Jarrett Mod. Easy.

april 26 (tuesday) 5:30ptuesday evening hike. See trip de-

scription for April 5. DOK. Leader: David von Seggern (775-303-8461; vonseg1@sbcglobal.net). Mod. Easy.

april 27 (Wednesday) 5:30pWednesday conditioning hike. Join us on this hike to get in shape for weekend outings. Refer to April 6 for details. DOK. Leader: Holly Coughlin (ladyhiker1@att.net). Co-Leader: Jim Call (freneticmarmot@gmail.com). Mod. Strenuous.

april 28 (thursday) 5:30pModerate evening conditioning hike. Get in shape after work with evening conditioning hike of 4-6 mi at brisk pace. Gain up to 1000 ft. Discover trails, learn about nature, geology in and around Truckee Meadows. More info at Meet Up site (see address at beginning of Cal-endar). DL. Leader: Ridge Walker Co-Leader: Jeannie Kettler. Mod. Easy.

May 3 (tuesday) 5:30ptuesday evening hike. See trip de-scription for April 5. DOK. Leader: David von Seggern (775-303-8461; vonseg1@sbcglobal.net). Mod. Easy.

May 4 (Wednesday) 5:30pWednesday conditioning hike. Join us to get in shape for weekend outings. Please refer to April 6 for details. DOK. Leader: Holly Coughlin (ladyhiker1@att.net). Co-Leader: Jim Call (frenetic-marmot@gmail.com). Mod. Strenuous.

May 5 (thursday) 5:30pModerate evening conditioning hike. Get in shape after work with evening con-ditioning hike of 4-6 mi at brisk pace. Gain

Please see GB CALENDAR, page 11.

ational skill. Boots and warm clothing were lent to all who needed them, and sunshine and ample snow made for perfect outings. Spring science camps at Tahoe are already fully booked, including one 4-day session for sixth graders from Robert Mitchell Elementary School -- supported by a Sierra Club Great Basin Group’s “Get Kids Outdoors” grant. A few open-ings for spring day trips and fall 4-day science camps remain. Interested teach-ers can contact Haley (775-324-0936 or Haley@greatbasin-os.org).

Deseret Peak sits in the Deseret Peak Wilderness – with a 5000-

foot prominence, it qualifies for a number of peak lists. At 11,031 feet it is the highest peak in the Stansbury Moun-tains, plus being the highpoint of Tooele County (pronounced Tu-will-uh). On October 10, 2015, several Great Basin Peaks Section members headed for Deseret Peak, leaving Reno at 6:30 am to reach the trailhead at Loop Campground be-fore dark. We had a brief lunch stop for Cor-nish pasties at B.J. Bull in Elko and topped off gas in Wendover before heading across the Bonneville flats. This large desert expanse gave an illusion that sur-rounding peaks were ships float-ing on a white sea. The unusual Tree of Life sculpture

added an interest point as we drove through this desert. From Grantsville, our drive up South Willow Canyon twisted through sun-blazed aspen between high rock walls. Deer with fawns greeted us in the campground as we set up camp and pre-pared our yummy potluck dinner. The night sky was clear and littered with stars as we retired early to get some sleep before our early start time.

Our morning start with head-lamps allowed us to see the many color changes of first light on the mountains as we hiked up the can-yon. An 1800-foot climb in the first 1.5 miles kept us warm on this chilly morning. Unlike many Great Ba-sin Peaks, Deseret has a trail to the summit and can be found in numerous

hiking guides. We had the trail to ourselves all the way to the summit. Enjoying the solitude and clear day, we sat an hour on top eating lunch, taking photos, and relishing the impressive views. There is a register and benchmark on the summit. After the most leisurely summit rest I’ve ever enjoyed, we returned on the loop trail, descending Pockets Fork/Dry Lake Fork Trail for variety. Another day to treasure on a Great Basin peak!

Summit of Deseret Peak: Sharon Marie, Niki, Carol-Lynn, Mary, and Bam.

april - may - june 2016 Toiyabe Trails10

Group News

southern nevada group

Southern Nevada GroupCalendar

all phone numbers are 702 unless otherwise noted.All hikes and service projects are led by certified outings leaders.

ALL evenTS inCLude ConSeRvATion eduCATion ACTiviTieS

(Please use email when leaders state that they prefer email,especially if you have a long distance telephone number.)

Nevada Tour Operator – Registration Information, Nevada Tour Operator Ref. No. 2008-0041.

Please see SN CALENDAR, page 11.

officers

Monthly excom Meetingswednesdays: April 6, May 4, & June 1

Chair Taj Ainlay* 702-906-5741 tajainlay@aol.comVice-Chair Kobbe Shaw* kobbeshaw@gmail.comSecretary Jane Feldman* feldman.jane@gmail.comTreasurer Taj Ainlay 702-576-6815 tajainlay@aol.comAt Large Christian Gerlach 702-271-6485 christian.gerlach@sierraclub.orgAt Large Helen Purkitt purkitt@gmail.comAt Large Bianca Gamez bgamez@battlebornprogress.orgAt Large Naomi Lewis lewis.naomi10@gmail.comCoal Power Plants Jane Feldman* feldman.jane@gmail.comConservation Jane Feldman* feldman.jane@gmail.comEndangered Species Kobbe Shaw* kobbeshaw@gmail.com & WildlifeEnergy Jane Feldman* feldman.jane@gmail.comGlobal Warming Jane Feldman* feldman.jane@gmail.comLas Vegas ICO Betty Gallifent 702-334-7418 egallifent@cox.netMembership Kobbe Shaw* kobbeshaw@gmail.comOutings Par Rasmusson 702-215-9119 par@mvdsl.comOutings OpenParks, Refuges OpenPolitical Bianca Gamez bgamez@battlebornprogress.orgPrograms Taj Ainlay* 702-906-5741 tajainlay@aol.comPublicity OpenTransportation Jane Feldman* feldman.jane@gmail.com Webmaster Taj Ainlay* 702-906-5741 tajainlay@aol.com

* ExCom member

a full calendar of our outdoor activities can be found online at www.sierra-club.org/toiyabe/southern-nevada. you can also visit us on facebook at

www.facebook.com/sierraclub.sng, and please “like” our page.

southern nevada Group

Open to all members, the monthly meetings of our Executive Committee (ExCom) have been moved to the first Wednes-

day of each month, unless otherwise noted. We meet from 6 pm to 8:30 pm at the Sierra Club Office, located just off West Sahara near Palace Station at 2330 Paseo del Prado, Building C, Suite 109, Las Vegas NV 89102. There is plenty of free parking in the surrounding lot. Please join us on April 6, May 4 or June 1. All phone numbers indicated in the Calendar section (begin-ning on this page) are within the 702 area code unless otherwise noted. All hikes and service projects are led by certified outings leaders. A full calendar of our activities can be found online at <www.sierraclub.org/toiyabe/southern-nevada>. You can also visit us on Facebook at <www.facebook.com/sierraclub.sng>, Please “like” our page!

Las Vegas ICO Youth Discover Lost Creek by cynthia regidor Las Vegas Inspiring Con-

n e c t i o n s O u t d o o r s (ICO)ncouldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day than the 1st Saturday of February, when we headed out on the Lost Creek trail with the children from Walnut Community Center. Beginning at Red Rock Visitor Center, the children, ranging from grades 2 through 7, were warmly greeted by “Mojave Max”, the desert tortoise mascot for the local school’s educational program. Along with a beautiful display of these rep-tiles’ shells, the children quickly learned the differences between

the land-bound tor-toise and the wa-ter-loving turtle. A bit squeamishly, the children touched a real coyote’s fur dis-played in a nearby presentation. After a lively introduction of all our participants and an important message from ICO’s leader on “leave no trace” and respecting our public land, we were off to discover

Lost Creek. As we hiked along the rocky trail, the children used all their senses, encountering rock formations displaying sandy colored hues and “chocolate chips” as well as prickly plant life, trees adorned with juniper ber-ries, and even mistletoe. Trekking further, we stumbled upon a perfect example of a desert dwelling during the existence of our Native Americans, the Southern Paiute. From this rock outcropping, the children gazed thoughtfully upon the open desert, imagining this as their home, perhaps as a shelter from bad weather or a strategic site in hunting for their food. With every turn throughout the hike, the children were never

without a curious comment or an apt observation. Upon arrival at iced-over Lost

Creek, the children squealed with delight, while some of us (ahem, adults) shivered from the 10-degree drop in tem-perature in the canyon. “It’s free ice skating!” one child exclaimed, while the children gleefully slid across the ice in different directions. Our hike concluded in a dry wash run-ning across the trail, where the children sat quietly, writing about the lessons they learned along their trek and reflect-ing upon their ideal “nature” name, while the afternoon sun beamed upon them. “Ice skating” at Lost Creek waterfall. Photo: Cynthia Regidor.

Friends enjoying warm Jurassic sandstone. Photo: Betty Gallifent.

april 6 (Wednesday)horseback ride, Red Rock canyon nca. We’ll let our 4-legged friends (horses and mules) do the hiking as we take a horseback ride at Cowboy Trail Rides in Red Rock Canyon. About 1 - 1.5 hr morning ride led by Keith Wheeler, with fabulous views of Red Rock Canyon escarpment. Leader: Nick Saines (greatunc@aol.com, 702-896-4049). Level 1.april 16 (saturday)historical Railroad tunnels, Lake Mead nRa. About 4 mi, easy. Fam-ily hike; friendly dogs welcome. Hike through five interesting tunnels on old railroad grade. Great views of Lake Mead. Spring wildflowers. Learn some history and geology. Leader: Gary Beckman (702-648-2983). Level 1-2

april 22 (friday)celebrate eaRth Day!! the entire month of april revolves around this

day to honor our natural environ-ment.

april 23 (saturday)come to GReenFest! in the heart of summerlin, the seventh annual GReenFest will honor earth Day and celebrate local businesses, non-profits and government entities that champion sustainability and the en-vironment here in southern nevada. Sponsorship is provided by the GREEN Alliance and Republic Services in coor-partion with Downtown Summerlin & Summerlin developed by Howard Hughes Corporation. There will be more than 150 booths, educational ex-hibits, festivities, and fun for the whole family. Look for the Sierra Club and ICO booths among the “Green Allies & Non-profits” between 10 am and 5 pm. For more information visit www.green-alliancenv.org/ or contact tajainlay@

april - may - june 2016Toiyabe Trails 11

Please see SN CALENDAR, page 12.

continued from page 10

Please see GB CALENDAR, page 12.

continued from page 9

Great Basin GroupCaLeNDar

up to 1000 ft. Discover trails, learn about nature, geology in and around Truckee Meadows. More info at Meet Up site (see address at beginning of Calendar). DL. Leader: Ridge Walker Mod. Easy.

May 10 (tuesday) 5:30ptuesday evening hike. See trip de-scription for April 5. DOK. Leader: David von Seggern (775-303-8461; vonseg1@sbcglobal.net). Mod. Easy.

May 11 (Wednesday) 5:30pWednesday conditioning hike. Join us to get in shape for weekend outings. Please refer to April 6 for detailed info. DOK. Leader: Holly Coughlin (ladyhiker1@att.net). Co-Leader: Jim Call (freneticmar-mot@gmail.com). Mod. Strenuous.

May 12 (thursday)GeaR UP silent auction! Bring your gently-used outdoor gear to Bartley Ranch for this silent auction to benefit Get Kids Outdoors. You’ll have the chance to donate 100% of your gear (gently used skiing, camping, hiking, climbing stuff) or earn 50% of your ask-ing price. Don’t miss this opportunity to clean out your garage for a good cause – you can even bring your gear to a meet-ing between now and May 12 and we’ll store it. Info: Katy(702.755-2267).

May 12 (thursday) 8aMcclellan Peak Flume Day hike. Historic Virginia City flume system on McClellan Peak near Carson City. Hike will be along part of route of circa 1870 wooden box flume which brought water from Carson Range to Virginia City. About 10 mi, 800 ft gain. Some off-trail. High clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle necessary, or possible ride share. Learn some history of area. ND. Leader: T A Taro (775-530-2935). Moderate.

May 12 (thursday) 5:30pModerate evening conditioning hike. Get in shape after work with evening conditioning hike of 4-6 mi at brisk pace. Gain up to 1000 ft. Discover trails, learn about nature, geology in and around Truckee Meadows. More info at Meet Up site (see address at beginning of Cal-endar). DL. Leader: Ridge Walker Co-Leader: Jeannie Kettler. Mod. Easy.

May 13 (friday)Mountain lion celebration. Nevada Wildlife Alliance and Mountain Lion Foundation will host “An Evening In Celebration of the Mountain Lion” on Friday, May 13th, 6:30 pm, at Nevada Museum of Art (Reno). The event will

feature a presentation by Will Stolzen-burg, based on his new book, Heart of a Lion, which appears in April. Come early for wine/cheese/snacks and a book signing. Free admission, but seating is

limited to 180. First come, first serve. For details: Don Molde (skyshrink@aol.com).

May 17 (tuesday) 5:30ptuesday evening hike. See trip de-scription for April 5. DOK. Leader: David von Seggern (775-303-8461; vonseg1@sbcglobal.net). Mod. Easy.

May 18 (Wednesday) 5:30pWednesday conditioning hike. Join us to get in shape for weekend outings. Refer to April 6 for more info. DOK. Leader: Holly Coughlin (ladyhiker1@att.net). Co-Leader: Jim Call (frenetic-marmot@gmail.com). Mod. Strenuous.

May 19 (thursday) 8aLahontan shore. Lahontan Reservoir, near Silver Springs. Enjoy silence, stark beauty, along shoreline. About 6 mi total in-&-out, nearly zero gain. View tufa formations. Near reported location of “Mark Twain” hotel described in flood of Carson River. State Park fee: $1 cash/person. ND. Leader: T A Taro (775-530-2935). Easy.

May 19 (thursday) 7:07pModerate Moonlight conditioning hike. Get in shape after work with moonlight conditioning hike of 4-6 mi at brisk pace. Start around sunset, hike for couple of hours by light of nearly full moon, in hills N of Reno. Gain up to 1000 ft. Discover trails, learn about nature, geology in and around Truckee Meadows. More info at Meet Up site (see address at beginning of Calendar). DL. Leader: Ridge Walker Co-Leader: Rhonda Jarrett Mod. Easy.

May 22 (sunday) 8aJuniper Peak, sahwave Range, Day hike. Juniper Peak is highest point within potential wilderness designation SE of Gerlach. Travel across remote Kumiva Valley, then hike to this peak in granite-rock Sahwave Range. See wildflower blooms, view a spring or two, catch sight of Black Rock Playa at top. About 5 mi RT, all x-c, with 1800 ft gain. Trip limit 12. DOK. Leader: David von Seggern (775-303-8461; vonseg1@sbcglobal.net). Co-Leader: Dorothy Hudig (775-323-4835; hudig@sbcglobal.net). Mod. Strenuous.

May 22 (sunday) 8:45aMt. Davidson Day Hike. This outing be-gins near Geiger Grade Summit, winds both on and off-trail to Mt. Davidson. About 7 mi, 1200 ft gain, but very steep downhill of about 2000 ft into Virginia City. Lunch on peak, time to check out some old diggings nearby. Participants must be in good shape for this hike. Hike in to Visitor Center, have cold drink before taking shuttle back. Car Shuttle required. Trip limit 15. Participants must all sign up as individuals so we can stick to our trip limit. Dogs must be well-behaved, have leash for Visitor Center, be able to squeeze into car with others. DOK. Leader: Holly Coughlin (ladyhiker1@att.net). Co-Leader: Jim Call (420-6363; freneticmarmot@gmail.com). Mod. Strenuous.

May 24 (tuesday) 5:30ptuesday evening hike. See trip de-scription for April 5. DOK. Leader: David von Seggern (775-303-8461; vonseg1@sbcglobal.net). Mod. Easy.

May 25 (Wednesday) 5:30pWednesday conditioning hike. Join us to get or stay in shape for weekend outings. Details posted on April 6. DOK. Leader: Holly Coughlin (ladyhiker1@att.net). Co-Leader: Jim Call (frenetic-marmot@gmail.com). Mod. Strenuous.

May 26 (thursday) 5:30pModerate evening conditioning hike. Get in shape after work with evening conditioning hike of 4-6 mi at brisk pace. Gain up to 1000 ft. Discover trails, learn about nature, geology in and around

Truckee Meadows. More info at Meet Up site (see address at beginning of Cal-endar). DL. Leader: Ridge Walker Co-Leader: Jeannie Kettler. Mod. Easy.

May 27-30 (friday-Monday) open

Black Rock Rendezvous. This an-nual event is “Great First Trip to Black Rock” as it typically includes speakers, guided tours, visits to hot springs, rocket launches, rock hounding, Dutch Oven cook-off, drawings, similar events. Co-Sponsored by Friends of Black Rock, BLM, Friends of Nevada Wilderness. We’ll be camped on edge of Playa about 15 mi N of Gerlach. Family event, bring your RVs, trailers. It’s dead flat, there’ll be portable toilets but no hookups! Come prepared for primitive camping but w/ portable toilets! Ham License? Bring your radio as there will be lots of Ham activity too! Dogs on leash, be prepared to pick up after them. LNT! For more info, too see last year’s events go to www.blackrockrendzvous.com but website may not be current for 2016. Questions, call me. DOK. Leader: Da-vid Book (775-843-6443). Easy.

May 31 (tuesday) 5:30ptuesday evening hike. See trip descrip-tion for April 5. DOK. Leader: David von Seggern (775-303-8461; vonseg1@sbc-global.net). Mod. Easy.

June 1 (Wednesday) 5:30pWednesday conditioning hike. Join us to get or stay in shape for weekend out-ings. Refer to April 6 for details. DOK. Leader: Holly Coughlin (ladyhiker1@att.net). Co-Leader: Jim Call (frenetic-marmot@gmail.com). Mod. Strenuous.

June 2 (thursday) 8acarson River Railroads Day hike. Near Mound House; 9 mi one-way with vehicle shuttle; gain 500 ft. Scenic, wildlife? Remains of two Comstock era railroads, Parts are off-trail. ND. Leader: T A Taro (775-530-2935). Moderate.

June 2 (thursday) 5:30pModerate evening conditioning hike. Get in shape after work with evening conditioning hike of 4-6 mi at brisk pace. Gain up to 1000 ft. Discover trails, learn about nature, geology in and around Truckee Meadows. More info at Meet Up site (see address at beginning of Calendar). DL. Leader: Ridge Walker Co-Leader: Rhonda Jarrett Mod. Easy.

aol.com.april 25 (Monday)

Waterfall canyon, Red Rock canyon nca. About 2.5 mi RT, mod. strenuous. Waterfall Canyon is a hidden gem of Red Rock Canyon. Canyon has a series of waterfalls in Cambrian limestone, each getting higher and higher, going in more than 1 mi, until final unclimbable falls of over 20 ft is reached. Springs emerge from valley walls at this point. Drive up Rocky Gap Road to trailhead, where there is an exposure of Keystone Thrust Fault. What conditions produce a waterfall? Leader: geologist Nick Saines (702-896-4049, greatunc@aol.com). Level 3.

May 9 (Monday) Brownstone canyon, Red Rock canyon nca. About 2 mi RT, moder-ate difficulty. Four-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicle trek into Brownstone Canyon, location of best pictographs in Southern Nevada. Moderate hike of about one mi after road ends. What isorigin of pigments in rock art? Leader: geologist Nick Saines (702-896-4049, greatunc@aol.com). Level 2.5.

June 13 (Monday)Big Falls, kyle canyon. About 4 mi RT, 500 ft gain, strenuous. Big Falls is one of the treasures of Spring Moun-tains – a 100-ft waterfall. Examine a possible glacial till exposure on way

up. Perfect time of year to hike our beautiful High Country trails. Boulder and log scrambling for 2 mi, unless there is a carpet of thick snow. Have Spring Mountains been glaciated? If so, what geological features would we expect to find? Leader: geologist Nick Saines (702-896-4049, greatunc@aol.com). Level 4.

June 14 (tuesday)Primary election Day. Here’s your opportunity to vote for candidates who support the environment. Polls will be open from 7 am until 7 pm at designated locations throughout the state. Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of the solution. Details can be found at www.

clarkcountynv.gov/depts/election/Pag-es/Dates.aspx.

June 19 - 25 (sunday - satur-day)

escalante River backpack, Grand staircase-escalante national Monu-ment, Utah. Little to no gain. This rather ambitious backpack will cover 37 mi; 27 mi alongEscalante River and 10 mi out deep and narrow Harris Wash. Side trips will explore narrow canyons and creeks along way with day packs. You need to decide what shoes you want to use, as we will be constantly in and out of river. Arrive in town of Escalante at Escalante Interagency Visitor Center

S. Nevada Group Calendar

april - may - june 2016 Toiyabe Trails12

continued from page 11

Great BasinGroup Calendar

Toiyabe ChapterexCom Meeting

saturday, 9 amapril 16, 2016

reno, nvFor details,

contact the Chair,DaVID VON SeGGerN

chair@toiyabe.sierraclub.org

all Toiyabe Chapter members are welcome to attend these meetings, which usually begin at 9 am. We reserve a time slot for input from members; if you have an issue on which you want to address the ExCom, please attend. For exCom members’ contact info, see the Chapter Directory on page 2.

June 7 (tuesday) 5:30ptuesday evening hike. See trip de-scription for April 5. DOK. Leader: David von Seggern (775-303-8461; vonseg1@sbcglobal.net). Mod. Easy.

June 8 (Wednesday) 5:30pWednesday conditioning hike. Join us to get or stay in shape for harder weekend outings. Refer to April 6 for details. DOK. Leader: Holly Coughlin (ladyhiker1@att.net). Co-Leader: jim Call (freneticmarmot@gmail.com). Mod. Strenuous.

June 9 (thursday) 5:30pModerate evening conditioning hike. Get in shape after work with evening conditioning hike of 4-6 mi at brisk pace. Gain up to 1000 ft. Discover trails, learn about nature, geology in and around Truckee Meadows. More info at Meet Up site (see address at beginning of Cal-endar). DL. Leader: Ridge Walker Co-Leader: Jeannie Kettler. Mod. Easy.

June 11 (saturday) 8aRubicon trail Day hike. Hike from D.L. Bliss Park to Emerald Bay, back. If weather cooperates, nice swimming at our lunch spot on bay. Learn about logging history, lighthouse. Parking fee. About 9 mi RT, minimal gain. ND. Leader: Craig Mastos (775-348-1862; maquis@softcom.net). Moderate.

June 12 (sunday) 9ahobart Lake Day hike. Hike to beauti-ful little lake outside Washoe Valley. Trip about 7 mi, but steep at close to 2600 ft of gain on dirt road (closed-off to most vehicles). All participants must be in good hiking shape. Lunch at lake. Learn a little history about Comstock along way. Trip limit 16. All participants must sign up for themselves in order to stay within limit. Only well-mannered dogs, please. DOK. Leader: Holly Coughlin (ladyhiker1@att.net). Co-Leader: Jim Call (420-6363; freneticmarmot@gmail.com). Mod. Strenuous.

June 14 (tuesday) 5:30ptuesday evening hike. See trip de-scription for April 5. DOK. Leader: David von Seggern (775-303-8461; vonseg1@sbcglobal.net). Mod. Easy.

June 15 (Wednesday) 5:30pWednesday conditioning hike. Join us to get or stay in shape for weekend out-ings. Refer to April 6 for details. DOK. Leader: Holly Coughlin (ladyhiker1@att.net). Co-Leader: James Call (frenetic-marmot@gmail.com). Mod. Strenuous.

June 16 (thursday) 7:07pModerate Moonlight conditioning hike. Get in shape after work with hike of 4-6 mi at brisk pace. Start around sunset, hike for couple of hours by light of nearly full moon, in foothills around Reno. Gain up to 1000 ft. Discover trails, learn about nature, geology in and around Truckee Meadows. More info at Meet Up site (see address at beginning of Calendar). DL. Leader: Ridge Walker Co-Leader: Rhonda Jarrett Mod. Easy.

June 21 (tuesday) 5:30ptuesday evening hike. See trip de-scription for April 5. DOK. Leader: David von Seggern (775-303-8461;

vonseg1@sbcglobal.net). Mod. Easy.June 23 (thursday) 8a

John c two enigma Day hike. Features associated with old mining operations. One-way hike of 8 mi with vehicle shuttle; 2000 ft gain. Scenic views. Return paralleling Carson River. Cactus blossoms? Hiking poles recommended; long steep descent on ‘marbles’. ND. Leader: T A Taro (775-530-2935). Mod. Strenuous.

June 23 (thursday) 5:15pLongest Day evening hike. Hike to top of “Road to Nowhere” Peak, high-est one on skyline E of Reno. Discover this little-known locale, learn geology of surrounding terrain. About 6 mi RT, 1500 ft gain. Brisk pace, not for begin-ning hikers. Take advantage of latest sunset, longest twilight of year, to march beyond sunset. More info at Meet Up site (see address at beginning of Cal-endar). ND. Leader: Ridge Walker Co-Leader: Jeanne Kettler, Cathy Schmidt Mod. Strenuous.

June 25 (saturday) 8:30aJamison Lake Day hike. From Jamison Mine area near Graeagle to Jamison Lake. Very scenic area which includes waterfall, Grass Lake. Great swimming in Jamison Lake. Learn about mining history. About 8 mi R; 1000 ft gain. DL. Leader: Craig Mastos (775-348-1862; maquis@softcom.net). Moderate.

June 28 (tuesday) 5:30ptuesday evening hike. See trip de-scription for April 5. DOK. Leader: David von Seggern (775-303-8461; vonseg1@sbcglobal.net). Mod. Easy.

June 29 (Wednesday) 5:30pWednesday conditioning hike. Join us to get in or stay in shape for weekend outings. Refer to April 6 for detailed info. DOK. Leader: Jim Call (frenetic-marmot@gmail.com). Mod. Strenuous.

around noon MDT and get our free permit and latest information for our route. Then set up car shuttle and begin hike at Hwy 12 bridge and end at Harris Wash Trailhead. Option of ending trip June 24 or 25. What effect does salt cedar have on river banks? Leader: David Hardy (702 875-4826, email preferred: hardyhikers@embarq-mail.com). Level 3 - 4, carrying backpacks.

June 27 (Monday)Upper Bristlecone trail, spring Mountains nRa (aka Mt. charleston). About 5 mi RT, 800 ft gain, strenuous.. Scenic trail from ski area at Lee Canyon to junction with old road; then switchbacks to top of ridge before looping back, reaching a 10,000 ft. How old are bristlecone pines? Why did President Roosevelt stop con-struction of road? Leader: geologist Nick Saines (702-896-4049, greatunc@aol.com). Level 4.

July 24 – 29 (sunday - friday)service project, Great smoky Mountains national Park, tennessee. In this centennial year for National Park Service, join us for a week of Volunteer Service in our nation’s most visited national park. Perform trail maintenance along Alum Cave Trail, remove invasive plant species, explore. A fantastic week of Service! For details please contact Par Rasmusson (702-215-9119, parasmusson@gmail.com). Level may vary, please contact hike leader.

S. Nevada GroupCalendar

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Sierra Club “Our Wild America” campaign outingsby christian gerlach, organizing rep, sierra club our Wild aMerica caMpaign

april 30 (saturday)kingman Wash. Near Hoover Dam (AZ side). About 4 mi, 3-5 hours. Hike up large wash to incredible views from top of Liberty Bell Arch mesa. Some rock hopping, one little scramble. Bring light lunch, snacks, plenty of water, sunscreen. Contact leader, Christian Gerlach, before hike (Christian.gerlach@Sierraclub.org, 702-271-6485). (Level 3)June 4 (saturday)Mummy springs. Trailhead on Hway 158 between Lee and Kyle Canyons. Strenuous hike, gain 1400 ft, RT 6 mi, 4-6 hours. Along North Loop Trail to “Raintree” (possibly largest Bristlecone Pine in Spring Mountains). Bring light lunch, snacks, plenty of water, sunscreen. Contact leader, Christian Gerlach, before hike (Christian.gerlach@Sierraclub.org, 702-271-6485).april 18 (Monday)Grand canyon campaign kickoff. Help kick off our campaign to protect Grand Canyon from threat of uranium mining. Hear about pro-posal to protect forests north and south of Grand Canyon as Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument. Come and share support for ensuring future generations will always be able to enjoy same awe-inspiring views we enjoy today. Time: 5:30-8 pm, location TBD. RSVP Christian Gerlach (Christian.gerlach@Sierraclub.org, 702-271-6485).

Channel Islands National Parkapril 3-5, 2016

Join us for a 3-day, 3-island, live-aboard cruiseWildflowers • birds • Whales • seals & sea lions

the land, sea, & air will be teeming! hike, kayak, marvel, enjoy, watch, relax!

$650 includes: assigned bunk, all meals, snacks, & beverages.To reserve, contact leader, Joan Jones Holtz,

(626-443-0706, jholtzhln@aol.com.

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